Community
Hoboken Awards $85,000 in Microgrants to Youth-Led Climate Projects
Seventeen youth-led projects in Hoboken have each been awarded $5,000 microgrants as part of the city’s 2025 Youth Climate Action Fund, city officials announced Monday. The funding, totaling $85,000, supports local initiatives focused on climate resilience and sustainability.
Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the program enables residents aged 15 to 24 to design and lead environmental projects. This marks Hoboken’s second year participating in the global initiative, following $50,000 in grants awarded to 11 projects in 2024.
“This year’s recipients are demonstrating real climate leadership,” Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla said in a statement. “Their ideas are helping us build a more sustainable Hoboken, and we’re proud to support their work.”
The selected projects reflect a wide range of environmental priorities. Among them are initiatives to reduce light pollution, develop clean energy prototypes, improve composting and recycling systems in schools, and organize climate-focused educational campaigns.
Recipients include students and young residents leading efforts such as the “Eel Mop Project,” which aims to monitor glass eel migration in the Hudson River; “Fusor Prototype,” which proposes a nuclear fusion reactor model; and “ChargeSafe,” a safety-focused charging station design for e-bikes and scooters.
Other projects tackle food waste reduction, sustainable fashion, pollination awareness, and the organization of a climate-themed film festival. Several initiatives will be implemented in partnership with Stevens Institute of Technology, including composting, waste sorting, and food tracking programs.
The projects were selected by a committee composed of educators, local leaders, City staff, and members of Hoboken’s Youth Advisory Council.
The Youth Climate Action Fund is part of a global program launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in collaboration with United Cities and Local Governments and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. The initiative offers grant funding and technical assistance to cities at no cost to taxpayers.
